[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cKi7MRCrJc[/youtube]
Is it that hard for elected officials officials to be respectful? Carly Fiorina has an entire ad dedicated to an exchange between Senator Barbara Boxer and Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, during testimony on the Louisiana coastal restoration process in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He began to answer one of Boxer’s questions with “ma’am” when Boxer cut him off and asked the general to address her as “Senator.” Now military folks like Chuck DeVore will tell you this is protocol (which needs updating for the 21st century mind you).
I bring this up because we have a case locally where Council member Deborah Gavello gets no respect from the trogoldytes on the Tustin City Council, who all address themselves by proper titles.  Please check out the YouTube for yourself.Â
And gentlemen, since I know your PR person will distribute this post for your reading pleasure, would you like someone to treat your wives or daughters with such disrespect in the workplace?
It is a common belief among conservatives that politicians in general and liberal politicians in particular are not entitled to any respect, so they take offense at someone like Boxer trying to get some.
Thanks,Dan. This is just the icing on the cake. Tustin residents have long known that the “good ol’ boys” rule the roost on the Council. They have never treated Ms. Gavello with respect and do everything they can to let her know just how much of an outsider they think she is.
I look around the city streets and see a sizable number of names running for city council. Some of our dinosaurs on the council are termed out (thank God) and hopefully won’t try to run for anything meaningful that can affect Tustin. I hope the city residents will look long and hard at the candidates this year before pushing that button beside a name. Make sure our council is held accountable.
Thanks again, Dan. The story may seem inconsequential. But it indicates the deep problems that Tustin has with its own political machine.
Cara Sneed (CF) – please. Senator Boxer’s clarification on her title is “at worst” NBD. Given Cara’s horrible track record of exporting American families jobs & nearly destroying the company – under her “reign of terror” – makes the “charge” most petty & insequential by comparison.
When will Republicans stop selling their nominations to the highest bidder?
Having served in the military for about 10 years, and having “grown-up” within the military, I do NOT necessarily see calling someone “Ma’am” or “Madame” necessarily disrespectul as this is the equivalent of “SIR”…unless the person has an official title and they object to being called other than their title.
And I am and will always be sensitive as to the circumstances and as to its appropriateness.
For example, when I was in the US Marines, we were instructed to answer “Good Morning Sir, this is ‘Title and Name inserted’ how can I help you?”
I refused to comply, because the assumption was that ONLY a MALE Officer or Non-commissioned officer (NCO)would be calling, when it could ALSO be a FEMALE Officer or NCO …
I said that I would FIRST answer either, “Good Morning Sir or Madame, how can I help you?”, or “Good morning, how can I help you?” and SECONDLY, once I determined gender I would respond either with a “Sir” or a “Madame” as appropriate. I also said that it would be stupid to assume…They left me alone.
1) But, it is VERY clear that Mayor Jerry Amante is being disrespectful to Councilmember Deborah Gavello, especially since she asked to be referred by her Title as the male Councilmembers refer to each other.
2) But even more importantly, Mayor Jerry Amante and the rest of the Councilmembers, are being disrespectful to THE CITIZENS and RESIDENTS that Councilmember Deborah Gavello was elected to represent.
3) Mayor Jerry Amante’s TONE and BEHAVIOR is also rude and inconsiderate, and this is especially telling because of his, comment to her, “You have a response regardless of what I call you?”
His proper response should have been to FIRST apologize for demeaning her and her official role, and then asking her to complete her statement.
Francisco “Paco” Barragan
My opinions only and not those of any group
Orange County, CA
I would not have said anything at the meeting. After the meeting I would have made myself clear that I am to be referred as council woman Gavello!
If they disrespected my wishes then nuts would fly!
Don’t do it again Old man, or you will deal with me! I am not as nice as Countcil Woman Gavello!
KK Jerry!
Fortunately, that dinosaur Amante is on his way out. We won’t have to deal with him in the future. The citizens of Tustin appear to be fed up with the screwing around on all sides (Councilmember Gavello, inlcuded, with her “lunch” issue). I can only hope that this council will do no further harm to the city until the new councilmembers are seated. Then, watch out.
Once issue of concern is that some of the candidates are overly concerned with the fight between TUSD and the City. This can’t be a one issue campaign if the right candidates are to be elected by the people.